Review: “Final Crisis: Requiem”

In the midst of all our making fun of Final Crisis, DC surprises us. Requiem is probably one of the finest written, most heartfelt comics I’ve read in years. Spoilers after the jump.

Logan Is Way Too Happy About San Francisco; Also, This Week’s Pull List!

Things are looking up for the X-Men. After the devolution of all but 180-some odd mutants, a world dividing Civil War and the first Post M-Day mutant birth, the team is relocating from their destroyed mansion to lovely San Francisco with next month’s Uncanny X-Men #500. They’ve been on a great run of wonderful stories since House of M, and they’ve only gotten better since Messiah Complex. Of course, as you can tell by the above panel, Logan is far too happy with moving to San Francisco…

On that note, lets actually do a Pull List. I keep telling myself I should take a break from blogging, but I also keep telling myself that these things are fun if you can get in the habit of doing them. So you leave comments to inspire me and I’ll keep doing them!

This week’s Pull List after the jump….

Spoilery Bits Classic Reviews: The Black Flash

So here’s one I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am an unreasonably large fan of “The Flash”. A lot of people were disappointed by Wally West taking over when Barry Allen died during Crisis on Infinite Earths, but he’s grown into his own, despite a solo title that started off with him being quite the asshat and, let’s face it, a fairly lackluster 90 issue start. Spoilers and whatnot follow, so do yourself a favor. If you don’t mind spoilers or you’ve read the story, hit the jump and learn about one of the best Flash stories to date.

Marvel To Adapt “Runaways”!

Source :: The Hollywood Reporter”

So it looks like “Runaways” is getting the big screen treatment. Honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. If you’ve read the first volume of “Runaways”, you know its perfectly laid out for one hell of an entertaining movie.

For those of you who have been under a rock. “Runaways” is the tale of a group of children who learn that their parents are members of The Pride, a group of super-villains. Upon learning this and witnessing them slaying an innocent girl in a ritual sacrifice, the group runs away and learns that many of them are far more than human.

So far, there has been no casting decision, but the script is being penned by series co-creator Brian K. Vaughn. The film also has no set release date, thus placing it in a similar limbo as the company’s announced “Ant-Man” movie (though I’m sure the odds of a “Runaways” movie are much, much higher).

The “Runaways” title is in its second volume and is currently being published monthly by Marvel Comics. The first volume ran for 18 issues and is available in 3 separate trades, titled “The Runaways Vol. 1: Pride & Joy”, “The Runaways Vol. 2: Teenage Wasteland”, and “The Runaways Vol. 3: The Good Die Young”. You can also collected the entire 18 issue first volume in the hardcover “The Runaways: Vol. 1″.

For more information, why not check out The Runaways Wikipedia Page?

New Batgirl On-Going?

I must have missed this, and decided to pop in and make sure no one else did.  Apparently, July 2008 will see the release of a new on-going series for Cassandra Cain/Batgirl. 

I personally just got done with her first series, and really enjoyed it.  I was one of the few who enjoyed her recent turns, too, as her appearance in Robin’s “One Year Later” arc was a fun romp.  At least, in my eyes it was.

Any thoughts on the second coming of Ms. Cain, who is ironically debuting the month before the end of the other Batman chick, Catwoman’s on-going?

Teaser Poster Available for “Punisher: War Zone”

UGO.com has the teaser poster for the sequel “Punisher: War Zone”. You can view the teaser here.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about this sequel. Its promising, of course, but I fear its going to be tainted by the image of the first one, both positively and negatively. Aside from myself and three or four others, 2004’s “Punisher” flick didn’t do so hot. A lot of people disliked Tom Jane in the lead role (I disagree. I personally thought he nailed the film’s iteration of the character.). Jane’s no longer in the sequel, having pulled out months ago because he didn’t feel the script was up to snuff with the standards fans would have for the character, a move that should have singlehandedly earned him the love and admiration of a dozen Punisher fans. Seriously, Jane gets it.

His replacement, Ray Stevenson, looks eerily like Jane, but regardless, the unfortunate stigmata hangs over the sequel. The Lexi Alexander directed sequel is slated for a December 5, 2008 release, and also stars Julie Benz (John Rambo, TV’s Dexter) and Dominic West (Hannibal Rising, TV’s The Wire) as classic Punisher villain Jigsaw.

Lots Of Stuff To Do, Plus What You Need To Be Reading In Comics

Man, I am a brave son of a bitch. I printed out my first series of Paladin stories (which you can read here at The Paladin Online), only to forget what a monster I created. And I tell you what, this didn’t help. Size 12, Courier, double spaced…200 pages. Yeesh. How did I ever write that?

Anyways. I’m gonna be busy, but you guys aren’t, so here’s what you should be reading over the next couple months while I’m trying to work…

The Timeframe Of Lyja Makes My Head Hurt

Secret Invasion Spoilers Here-In!!

Oops. Also, Beast Enjoys Twinkies.

Missed The Pull List on the second week. Whoops. This weeks will be up tonight (hopefully). Sorry about that, but I was off redesigning the front page and forums for Stink Child Comics.

To make up for it, here’s a humorous photo manip I did.

Supergirl Is Probably An Idiot

Warning! Spoilers for Supergirl #28 within!!

The Pull List — April 2, 2008

Hey, look, a post! I’m going to be attempting to breathe new life into Spoilery Bits with a series of regular columns. To kick it off is the new regular Monday column, The Pull List. Nothing fancy here, just a look at some comics you need to pick up when they come out tomorrow! The full list is ready to go after the jump, so off we go…

All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder #9 Is A Riot.

I ream this series a lot, but Frank Miller, I do fucking love you for writing this book.

Its awful, really. Batman is what you would be if you were 12 years old and became Batman, guffawing and leaping around the city at night. Robin really is an annoying little piss-ripper. But, God, its just so damn funny to read. I don’t think Miller is trying anything too serious here. I think he’s just having a little fun with the character, and watching us shit ourselves. I mean, c’mon, this is Frank Miller. He did “The Dark Knight Returns”, remember? He gets Batman.

And then he goes and writes shit like this weeks All-Star Batshit Insane and Robin, The Annoying Sidebitch #9.

Spoilers after the jump.

Wiik Sauce Goes Live!!

Pssst!! Just a heads up, but by the time you read this, the first strip of the new web comic I’ve written, “Wiik Sauce”, will be available for your viewing at Stink Child Comics.

What happens when Chris and Racoon get sucked into the Wii Virtual Console? And who’s going around kidnapping gaming icons? The answer may shock you, and the strip will leave gamers, nerds, and casual readers alike laughing.

Go check out Wiik Sauce!! And when you get done with that, be sure to read Stink Child Comics, Residue, and SCC in Toon Town.

Oh, and join the Stink Child Forums I set up!!

–Chris

Look What I Possibly Called!!

The following contains spoilers for “Punisher: War Journal” issue #11.

Comics Review: “Back In Black”

Series: Amazing Spider-Man

Issues Reviewed: #539-543

Publisher: Marvel

Starring: Peter Parker/Spider-Man; May Parker; Mary Jane Watson-Parker; The Kingpin

Premise: With his Aunt May near death, an enraged Peter Parker vows to stop those responsible…using any means neccessary.

New Comics Review: Booster Gold #1

Series: Booster Gold

Issues Reviewed: #1

Publisher: DC Comics

Starring: Booster Gold, Skeets, Rip Hunter

Premise: The Multiverse is trashed following Mr. Minds feast on the 52 alternate universes. With wormholes open to any of the “wrong kind” of time travelers, Rip Hunter recruits time traveling gloryhound Booster Gold and his sidekick Skeets to travel among the alternate universes and fix history, all without letting history know he’s the greatest hero ever.

But Is He Really Gone? *SPOILERS*

WARNING! Beyond the more link are spoilers for Captain America #25. You probably already know, but just in case….

Already read Cap #25 or this article? Well when all is said and done, go check out last nights The Word from The Colbert Report. Hilarious!!

Doom! Green Goblin! And who’s this…Venom guy?

JoBlo.com has thrown up production art of Dr. Doom (he has a skirt!) from FF: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and new art of Green Goblin II (Snowboarder…of Doom!) and Venom (Future champion hot dog eater…look at those jaws!). I’m going to agree with the poster that while Venom looks cool (Ok, I admit, Venom stills and such are kinda creepy to me), how he looks in motion and sounds are what’s key.

Oh, you probably would like the link to those pics, wouldn’t you?

Click here, then.

Just A (comic book) Reminder…

*Civil War is STILL going on! Yes, the critically acclaimed Civil War crossover event is now 3 months past its original end date and still has a ways to go. Somewhere between ruining Iron Man, cloning Thor, screwing up Spider-Man and giving Daredevil a secret identity out, the series just seems to have lost its appeal to me. All you Civil War fans can bitch about it in the comment box.

*Fifty Two is picking up the pace once again! The last issue concluded with The Question near death and Luthor apparently setting up for a grand finale to ruin Supernova for good. Haven’t picked up Week 34? Better go now…its only going to start getting better and better from here on out!!

Is Ralph Dibny Going All Sixth Sense on Us? (52 Spoilers…)

Thanks to the new Newsarama post and fanboy speculation, the new 52 theory of the day is that Ralph Dibney did kill himself in Fifty Two Week One (when Ralph was seen with a gun in his mouth).

For those who have missed the past year of DCU continuity, you’re a fucking idiot who needs to go play catch-up. Also, Ralph’s beloved wife Sue Dibny was found dead and burned nearly beyond recognition in the first chapter of the simply incredible “Identity Crisis”.

Over the course of Fifty Two, Ralph has seemingly lost his mind and is now on a quest to resurrect and reunite with his dear wife, which has led him all the way to Nanda Parbat in this issue.

So, is Ralph really dead all along? Unlikely, methinks.

If Ralph is dead, yes, it would explain why only he could hear the Helmet of Fate talking to him. But it doesn’t explain how he can be seen, talked to, and generally interacted with by Wonder Girl, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Zauriel, Metamorpho, the entire “Cult of Connor”, Supernova, Booster Gold, Skeets, 90% of downtown Metropolis, the owner of his storage shed (who called Ralph, not a next of kin for a deceased Ralph), the police officers who found Sue’s tombstone defaced, and the young man in the cemetary who recounted seeing Ralph before when he was Elongated Man.

Just saying, DC, lots of gaps…